Minutes – February 2024

Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Monday, February 26, 2024, 7:00 p.m.

1.   Call to Order & Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Commissioner Alison Brooks, Chair (4B08), presiding. The meeting was held virtually via Zoom, and a recording of the meeting is available on YouTube and on the Commission’s website. Commissioners present also included Commissioner T. Michelle Colson (4B01), Commissioner Erin Palmer (4B02), Commissioner Evan Yeats (4B04), Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson (4B06), Commissioner Michael Cohen (4B07), and Commissioner Jinin Berry (4B10).

Commissioner Zurick T. Smith (4B03), Commissioner Kevin Gilligan (4B05), and Commissioner Derrick Thompson (4B09) were not present.

2.   Administrative Items:

A. Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting

Commissioner Brooks provided instructions for public participation in the meeting. Commissioner Brooks reminded residents they can sign up to receive monthly Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B meeting notifications automatically via the Commission’s website.

B. Consideration and Approval of February 2024 Regular Public Meeting Agenda

Commissioner Brooks presented the February 2024 Regular Public Meeting Agenda and proposed to amend the agenda to add a report from Dr. Oye I. Owolewa, Shadow Member, US House of Representatives, and a report from Frazier O’Leary, State Board of Education, as well as to remove Agenda Item No. 10 on the draft Agenda, Resolution 4B-24-0203, Calling on DMOI to Provide Coordinated Response to Pervasive Nuisance Issues on 6500 Block of Sandy Spring Road, NW (Commissioner Cohen).

Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the agenda, as amended. The motion was adopted 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

C. Approval of January 2024 Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Brooks presented the January 2024 Regular Public Meeting Minutes. The Minutes were approved as presented.

D. Treasurer’s Report and Quarterly Financial Report for First Quarter FY2024

Commissioner Brooks noted that the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions is currently completing Quarterly Financial Reports. Commissioner Brooks noted an amendment to the Quarterly Financial Report for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023 and presented and moved to approve the Quarterly Financial Report for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2024. The motion was adopted 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

3.   Commissioner Updates

Commissioners provided updates regarding their Single Member Districts, including community cleanups, office hours, Single Member District meetings, testimony at hearings, and infrastructure improvements.

4.   Community Concerns

Members of the community were provided the opportunity to present questions or statements.

5.   Reports:

A. Sophia Tekola, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services 

Sophia Tekola, representing the Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services, provided updates on the District’s grant opportunities and fire safety, among other issues. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

B. Dr. Oye I. Owolewa, Shadow Member, US House of Representatives

Dr. Oye I. Owelewa, Shadow Member of the US House of Representatives, introduced himself and discussed his position, as well as provided information regarding an upcoming Expungement Clinic and Job Fair. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

C.  Barbara Rogers, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 

Barbara Rogers, representing the Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, provided updates on re-opening of the Takoma fitness center, tax season resources, and performance oversight hearings at the DC Council. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

D.  Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education

Frazier O’Leary provided updates on the DC School Report Card, the Boundary and Student Assignment Study 2023 to review DC Public School boundaries and feeder patterns and District-wide public school student assignment policies, and a book drive. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

E. Housing Justice Committee 

Commissioner Palmer provided an update on Committee activities, including the Committee’s February 7th meeting. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for March 6th at 7:30 p.m.

F. Vision Zero Committee

Commissioner Yeats provided an update on Committee activities, including the Committee’s February 21st meeting. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for March 20th at 7:00 p.m.

G. Youth Advisory Committee

Commissioner Brooks and Commissioner Palmer provided an update on recruitment of members for the Commission’s Youth Advisory Committee.

6.   Presentation: Travoris Culpepper, Manager of Strategic Infrastructure & Operations Initiatives, Pepco, Climate Ready Pathways Multi-Rate Plan

Travoris Culpepper, Pepco’s Manager of Strategic Infrastructure and Operations Initiatives, presented on Pepco’s Climate Ready Pathways Multi-Rate Plan, a proposed rate increase. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

7.   Presentation: Dr. Linda McKay, Executive Director, Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy Public Charter School, Petition to Public Charter School Board to Amend Charter Agreement to Relocate from Sixth Presbyterian Church at 5413 16th Street, NW, to Takoma Park Baptist Church at 635 Aspen Street, NW

Dr. Linda McKay, Executive Director and Marcus McKay, Business Manager, Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy Public Charter School, presented regarding the school’s petition to the Public Charter School Board to relocate their 16th Street, NW, location to Takoma Park Baptist Church at 635 Aspen Street, NW. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

8.   Consent Calendar:

• Resolution 4B-24-0201: Authorizing Translation of the Commission’s Website and Related Expenditures (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Smith, and Commissioner Yeats)
• Letter: Providing Feedback on the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions’ Strategic Plan (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Smith, and Commissioner Yeats)
• Resolution 4B-24-0202: Establishing Community Safety and Support Committee (Commissioner Johnson)

Commissioner Yeats moved to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion was adopted 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

9. Letter: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B Fiscal Year 2025 Housing Justice Budget Priorities (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, and Commissioner Smith)

Commissioner Palmer presented a draft Letter regarding Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Fiscal Year 2025 Housing Justice Budget Priorities. Commissioners and members of the community were given the opportunity to ask questions.

Commissioner Yeats moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention. Commissioner Cohen abstained.

10. Resolution 4B-24-0203: Calling on DMOI to Provide Coordinated Response to Pervasive Nuisance Issues on 6500 Block of Sandy Spring Road, NW (Commissioner Cohen)

11. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m.